Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Folsom State Prison’s (FSP) medical services have been returned to the oversight of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. This was an important step in the long-term transition of full control of medical care back to the State. Over the last nine years, California has invested billions in state prison medical care.

In his June 1, 2015, Tri-Annual Report, the Receiver noted that inspectors had given FSP a favorable rating. “The (Office of the Inspector General) has issued its final report for FSP, and the institution received an overall rating of ‘adequate.’ California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) has compiled information regarding FSP for consideration by the Receiver and stakeholders,” the report states.

According to a July 13 letter sent to CDCR, Receiver J. Clark Kelso indicated the decision was effective without delay. “In making this determination, I have considered the April 2015 report of the Office of the Inspector General, regarding the results of its Cycle 4 medical inspection of Folsom State Prison, as well as data from the Healthcare Services Dashboard and other internal monitoring tools,” he wrote. “I hereby issue this revocable delegation of authority to you, to take over management of the medical care program at Folsom State Prison. This revocable delegation of authority is effective immediately and is subject to the conditions and requirements set forth in the September 5, 2012, March 10, 2015, and May 27, 2015 Court orders.”

CDCR Secretary Jeff Beard said the department is ready. “We’re pleased and ready to start taking back control of medical care. We know that other CDCR prisons are ready to step up in the months ahead and we will continue collaborating with the Receiver’s Office to ensure inmates at all of our facilities receive appropriate health care,” he said.

According to the Receiver’s Tri-Annual Report, “(the) plan focuses on transitioning prisons back one at a time after the Receiver, through several steps, determines that a prison is providing adequate medical care.”